As football clubs across Europe kick off a new season and sports enthusiasm surges once again, millions of young Nigerians are not just watching, they’re betting. From bustling betting shops in Lagos and Port Harcourt to mobile apps in remote communities of Kogi and Kano, the wave of sports betting is sweeping through Nigeria with alarming intensity, and young people are at the heart of it.
According to a 2023 report by NOIPolls, at least 60 million Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 40 are actively engaged in sports betting, spending an estimated ₦2 billion daily. The same study found that nearly 1 in 3 Nigerian youths place a bet at least once a week, while 13% do so daily—figures that are stark when compared to other African nations.
In South Africa, for instance, the National Gambling Board reports that around 10% of youths engage regularly in betting. In Kenya, often cited as the second largest African betting market after Nigeria, about 54% of youth aged 18–35 have engaged in some form of betting, according to a GeoPoll survey. Globally, the figures are more moderate. In the United Kingdom, where betting is legal and highly regulated, around 17% of young adults aged 18–24 engage in online betting, according to the UK Gambling Commission’s 2022 report.
Nigeria’s numbers are concerning not only for their scale but for the lack of adequate regulation and support systems to address gambling addiction, financial loss, and youth exploitation.
Why Nigerian Youths Are Betting Big
Several factors are fuelling this surge. The most notable is unemployment. As of the first quarter of 2024, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that the unemployment rate among Nigerian youths aged 15–24 stood at 8.4%, . This figure represents the most recent official data available from the NBS. For many young people, betting represents a tantalising promise of instant wealth in a country where opportunities seem scarce.
Chinedu, A 26-year-old graduate in Lagos who bets almost daily on European football leagues, said, “₦200 can become ₦100,000 with the right odd. It’s like a hustle. No job, no help, but football is there.”
Technology has also lowered the entry barrier. With smartphones and mobile money apps, placing bets is now as easy as scrolling through Instagram. Betting platforms such as Bet9ja, SportyBet, 1xBet, and BetKing are highly accessible and aggressively marketed, often with celebrity endorsements and flashy ads targeting impressionable audiences.
But the thrills of winning are short-lived for many. A 2022 study by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health found that 70% of young Nigerian bettors have experienced consistent losses, leading to depression, anxiety, and in some cases, criminal activity.
Psychologist Dr. Yetunde Adebayo notes, “Sports betting is becoming a silent epidemic. I’ve had young men in their 20s who pawned their phones or stole from family members to fund their betting addiction.”
Cases of suicide linked to gambling losses have also been reported. In April 2023, a 28-year-old man in Benin City allegedly took his life after losing a ₦500,000 bet. Incidents like this highlights the urgent need for intervention.
Policy Gaps and Poor Regulation
Nigeria’s betting industry is loosely regulated. The National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) is tasked with oversight, but the proliferation of operators, many unregistered, has made enforcement difficult. Most betting platforms target youth directly, with little consideration for the social consequences.
“While other countries have stringent identity verification and responsible gambling mandates, Nigeria is still playing catch-up,” says legal analyst Barr. Nneka Ibeh.
In Ghana, the Gaming Commission enforces tighter controls, including age restrictions and a limit on betting advertisements. In the UK, operators are legally obligated to display responsible gambling messages and offer addiction support tools—measures that are largely absent in Nigeria.
What Can Be Done?
Stricter Regulation: Government agencies must enforce age restrictions, register all betting companies, and limit aggressive marketing. Online platforms should include self-exclusion tools and betting caps.
Public Awareness Campaigns: There is a need for national campaigns, much like those against drug abuse, to educate youths on the dangers of gambling addiction.
Alternative Youth Empowerment: Investing in skills training, entrepreneurship programmes, and job creation is essential. When young people have viable alternatives, the lure of betting fades.
School and Community Engagement: Schools and religious institutions must begin open conversations about the realities of gambling. Community leaders should also offer support systems for those battling addiction.
Taxation and Regulation of Winnings: Governments should consider regulating large winnings and redirecting part of the tax revenues towards mental health and youth development programmes.
As the football season gains momentum, so too does Nigeria’s betting culture. But while some may win big, the vast majority lose—not just money, but peace of mind, purpose, and sometimes even their lives.
The rise in sports betting among Nigerian youths is a mirror to deeper national issues—unemployment, underdevelopment, and unchecked digital capitalism. Until these root causes are addressed, Nigeria risks wagering away its most valuable asset: its young people.
